With cursive writing not included in the new Common Core education standards, some states are eliminating the teaching of cursive from their curriculum to make room for core academics. (Wikimedia Commons)

I strongly disagree with The Denver Post’s editorial stance opposing teaching children cursive writing in the school systems.

I am wondering how these future adults will be able to sign legal documents, credit card bills, voting records, wills and many other documents that require a written signature. What should they do? Print their names, mark an X, or perhaps use some smartphone app? While written signatures can still be forged or otherwise misused, the other options are even more prone to fraud or future legal imbroglios.

Learning cursive writing also assists in learning the English language and its proper grammar constructions. It is hard to put a price tag on this.

Stephen Green, Denver

This letter was published in the Nov. 24 edition.

Removing cursive instruction from an already crowed school curriculum seems to make sense, but it will leave a gap that should not be ignored. I know from my own teaching experience that learning moves from the concrete to the abstract, and cursive instruction is an excellent opportunity for children to be analytical and self-correcting at a very concrete level. Typing does not replace writing in kinesthetic learning.

I would hope that the schools would find a way to promote this eye-hand coordination and self-analysis in other ways. The art teacher could do a unit using these skills. A classroom teacher might do a short intensive writing unit. The weeks before holidays are often chaotic — a great time to do something different for a few days.

A. Lynn Buschhoff, Denver

This letter was published in the Nov. 24 edition.

The Post editors could not be more wrong about cursive writing. Teaching cursive has nothing to do with nostalgia, or cuteness, or art. It has everything to do with brain development in the very young. Learning and using cursive involves the development and use of billions of brain neurosensors. Typing does not.

Consider that Chinese youngsters are learning and writing thousands of characters. Their brains are firing on all cylinders. Now consider that eliminating cursive learning means American children will learn nothing more than twiddling their thumbs. Is that what you really want?

Anthony T. Accetta, Denver

This letter was published in the Nov. 24 edition.

Handwriting and calligraphy are skills that, practically speaking, need no longer be taught in school. Like so many other things, children and adults can learn the art and craft of penmanship on their own, and at the same time experience the pleasure of using a fine writing instrument.

Jimi Bernath, Englewood

This letter was published in the Nov. 24 edition.

As a secondary English teacher, I have witnessed the decline of students’ written work in cursive and also in printing. Most kids are lost without a keyboard. While I recognize the tremendous benefits of technology in the classroom, I still believe knowing how to write in cursive is important, as it transfers over to reading cursive.

How sad to think that the reading of primary documents will be lost. Imagine looking at the letters of Jefferson or Adams and not being able to understand them. Sure, kids can read the Declaration and Constitution on their computers, but isn’t the beauty and magic lost by not appreciating them in their original form?

The old days of Palmer Penmanship are and should be over, but reading and writing in cursive should remain alive and well.

Judy Cornella, Castle Rock

This letter was published in the Nov. 24 edition.

Other than the fact a person’s handwriting defines much about who they are and their personality traits, it’s also their personal signature for endorsing checks and legal documents. A signature is upheld in the courts of law and used for identification purposes in all aspects of life. Everyone’s signature is unique. So, what then, is going to replace this very necessary, age-old practice and who in heaven’s name came up with the idea it is no longer a skill to be taught in school?

There are just some things in this life that should be left alone so we can go on with business as usual.

Charla Kramer Smyth, Lakewood

This letter was published in the Nov. 24 edition.

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